Over the hill: The cell phone turns 40

April 3, 2013 5:12 AM

Back in 1932, this would have been something of fantasy, or a gimmick for an advertising campaign.

Cell phone have been around for more than 40 years.

Back in 1932, this would have been something of fantasy, or a gimmick for an advertising campaign.

Photo: Topical Press Agency, File

Cell phone have been around for more than 40 years. Back in 1932,... Photo-4415669.59607 - seattlepi.com

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Alexander Graham Bell produced the first intelligible telephonic transmission with a message to his assistant in 1875. He patented this device as the telephone in 1876, but it would be nearly a century before the phone truly went mobile. less

Alexander Graham Bell produced the first intelligible telephonic transmission with a message to his assistant in 1875. He patented this device as the telephone in 1876, but it would be nearly a century before ... more

A man with a phone hanging around his neck gives the passengers the possibility to make a phone call shortly before their departure from the station in Naples in 1935.

The first Cell Phone? Not really.

A man with a phone hanging around his neck gives the passengers the possibility to make a phone call shortly before their departure from the station in Naples in 1935.

Photo: Anonym, File

The first Cell Phone? Not really. A man with a phone hanging... Photo-4415666.59607 - seattlepi.com

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American actor Loretta Young speaks on a car phone in 1950, but in those days mobile radio phones were pretty much just that — two-way radios.

American actor Loretta Young speaks on a car phone in 1950, but in those days mobile radio phones were pretty much just that — two-way radios.

Photo: Murray Garrett, File

American actor Loretta Young speaks on a car phone in 1950, but in... Photo-4415670.59607 - seattlepi.com

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These phones are considered "pre-cellular," or "zero generation"

These phones are considered "pre-cellular," or "zero generation"

Photo: Hulton Archive, File

These phones are considered "pre-cellular," or "zero... Photo-4415668.59607 - seattlepi.com

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But that doesn't mean they weren't a status symbol.

But that doesn't mean they weren't a status symbol.

Photo: File

But that doesn't mean they weren't a status symbol. Photo-4415646.59607 - seattlepi.com

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Martin Cooper, shown here in 2003, holds a Motorola DynaTAC, a 1973 prototype of the first handheld cellular telephone in San Francisco. Over 40 years ago he made the first call on a DynaTAC he designed and is thus the father of the cell phone. less

Martin Cooper, shown here in 2003, holds a Motorola DynaTAC, a 1973 prototype of the first handheld cellular telephone in San Francisco. Over 40 years ago he made the first call on a DynaTAC he designed and is ... more